Judges 20:18-28

18Now the sons of Israel set out, went up to Bethel, and 1inquired of God and said, “Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?” Then the Lord said, “Judah shall go up first.”

19So the sons of Israel got up in the morning and camped against Gibeah. 20The men of Israel went to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel lined up for battle against them at Gibeah. 21Then the sons of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and 23struck to the ground on that day twenty-two thousand men of Israel. 22But the people, the men of Israel, showed themselves courageous and lined up for battle again in the place where they had lined themselves up on the first day. 23And 4the sons of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and 5inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall we again advance for battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin?” And the Lord said, “Go up against him.”

24So the sons of Israel 6came against the sons of Benjamin on the second day. 25And Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the second day and struck to the ground again eighteen thousand men of the sons of Israel; all of these drew the sword. 26Then 7all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel, and they wept and remained there before the Lord, and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 27And the sons of Israel 8inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, 28and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, Aaron’s son, stood before it to minister in those days), saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin, or shall I stop?” And the Lord said, “Go up, 9for tomorrow I will hand them over to you.”